roustabout

[ roust-uh-bout ]

/ ˈraʊst əˌbaʊt /

a wharf laborer or deck hand, as on the Mississippi River.

an unskilled laborer who lives by odd jobs.

a circus laborer who helps in setting up and taking down the tents and in caring for the animals, equipment, and grounds.

any unskilled laborer working in an oil field. Compare roughneck(def 2).

Origin of roustabout

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; roust + about

I was housemaid and roustabout from sunrise to weary sunset.

Hints to Pilgrims |Charles Stephen Brooks
This roustabout crew had all the unloading to do, and the reason I liked it was it gave us some chance to steal.

The Outlet |Andy Adams
Sandy, the roustabout, had been requisitioned to toss up empty bottles, and those who failed cursed him for a poor thrower.

A Man to His Mate |J. Allan Dunn
The only man who can tell you that is the roustabout who cleans the animals cage.

The Ranger Boys Outwit the Timber Thieves |Claude A. Labelle

I got me a job and worked as a roustabout on a boat where I learned to gamble wid dice.

Slave Narratives, Oklahoma |Various

roustabout

/ (ˈraʊstəˌbaʊt) /

an unskilled labourer on an oil rig

Australian another word for rouseabout

US and Canadian a labourer in a circus or fairground